Revolution Longest Lap: The winter's unexpected bike race hit (video)
Track-standing spectacle proves to be a crowd-pleaser at the Revolution Series
The 2014/15 Revolution Cycling Series concluded in Manchester on Saturday, and one of the highlights of the finale was the 'Longest Lap' race, which has proved something of an unexpected hit over the winter.
Also known as the 'Marymoor Crawl' in acknowledgement of its roots in the Marymoor Velodrome in Washington, USA, the event sees riders track-standing for several minutes until the start gun is fired.
Those riders that have managed to maintain their balance and not let their front wheel cross the start line before the gun is fired must then sprint as hard and fast as possible over one lap of the velodrome to reach the finish line.
Track-standing for that length of time in a bunch, coupled with an explosive sprint effort, takes some skill - something which the Revolution crowds in Manchester. London and Glasgow throughout the series have appreciated.
Joel Partington (Madison-Genesis) won the final Longest Lap, pipping Sky's Joe Holt to the line.
Revolution Series Promoter, James Pope told Cycling Weekly: "The Revolution Longest Lap has been one of the highlights this season attracting over 250,000 views on YouTube. Whilst it started as a bit of fun many of the riders have been pretty competitive and practising their track stand, so we'll definitely bring it back next season.
"It was great to see the sprinters do it at round five so we will continue to mix up the format at different rounds - after our men verses women version we now see the UCI are properly trailing mixed races so maybe we will revisit this and tweak the format to make it an even match."
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Maloja Pushbikers win championship
Elsewhere on the final night, Alex Edmonson and Miles Scotney of Orica-GreenEdge won all of the men's elite championship events but still could not overhaul Maloja Pushbikers to clinch the overall series title.
In the elite women's events, Laura Trott took the honours in the elimination race, Elinor Barker won the points race and Ellie Coster the scratch race.
Gustav Larsson on failed Hour attempt: My legs weren't up to it (video)
Gustav Larsson falls well short of a new world Hour Record, but sets new Swedish record at Revolution track meeting
Gustav Larsson was the latest rider to take on the world Hour Record in the afternoon session. Although his 50.016km fell well short of Rohan Dennis's 52.491km record, he did set a new Swedish record.
Television highlights of the final round of the Revolution Series will be shown on Channel 4 on Saturday March 21 at 7am. It will then be available to view online on 4OD.
Dates for next season will be announced in April with tickets scheduled to go on sale on Monday 13th April. You can pre-register on the Revolution website.
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Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
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